The trend estimate for the total number of dwelling units commenced fell 1.9% in the March quarter 2011 following a fall of 2.6% in the December quarter 2010.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for the total number of dwelling units commenced rose 3.1% in the March quarter which follows a fall of 4.0% in the December quarter.

NEW HOUSES

The trend estimate for new private sector house commencements fell 4.8% in the March quarter following a fall of 5.4% in the December quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for new private sector house commencements fell 1.9% in the March quarter following a fall of 6.7% in the December quarter.

OTHER RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

The trend estimate for new private sector other residential building commencements rose 5.3% in the March quarter following a rise of 4.9% in the December quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for new private sector other residential building rose 14.7% in the March quarter following a rise of 6.1% in the December quarter.

NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER)

Release Date

June 2011

14 September 2011

September 2011

13 December 2011

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication provides an early indication of trends in the number of dwelling units commenced. The data are estimates based on a response rate of approximately 90% of a sample of building jobs collected in the Building Activity Survey. More comprehensive and updated results will be released in Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0), on 20 July 2011.

SIGNIFICANT REVISIONS THIS ISSUE

Compared to the estimates published in Building Activity, Australia, December quarter 2010 (cat. no. 8752.0) released on 19 April 2011:

the total number of dwellings commenced in Australia during December quarter 2010 has been revised upwards by 546 (+1.4%).

the number of new private sector houses commenced in Australia during the December quarter 2010 has been revised upwards by 275 (1.1%).

the number of new private sector other residential dwelling units commenced in Australia during the December quarter 2010 has been revised upwards by 253 (+2.0%).

DATA NOTE

Widespread flooding in the eastern states, particularly Queensland, and other natural disasters have not adversely affected the quality of estimates in this release. However, these events may have had an impact on the level of dwelling commencements in the March quarter of 2011.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.